O Jerusalem!

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Pray for the Peace of the City

Dear Friends,

Our world seems to be in turmoil, and Jerusalem seems to lie at the heart of the maelstrom as wars continue to the north in Syria and to the south in Yemen. Accusations of anti-semitism have become political tools in the UK and US, and internal division and controversy rocks the Israeli State.

Our preacher this Sunday will be Helga Spring and the Gospel reading from Luke chapter 13 tells us of Jesus’ lamenting over Jerusalem. “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” cries Jesus.

Lent is a time for re-orientating ourselves, turning once again towards God. That is what repentance means. You can join us for worship each Sunday, or join one of our two Lenten Study Groups!

Our readings this week will be Genesis 15:1-7,18, Philippians 3:17-4:1, and Luke 13:31-35, and we will be singing the hymns Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah, King of Kings Majesty, Jesus Thou Joy of Loving Hearts, and Great is Thy Faithfulness! The readings can be found via this link and past services and sermons can be viewed via the All Saints audio-visual page!

Gender Discrimination Committee

This Thursday I will be in Bangkok to speak before the Thai government committee on the Determination of Unfair Gender Discrimination. This is a follow-on from my award for Strengthening and Empowering the LGBTI Community last December. I have been asked to address the committee on my pastoral experience and views regarding same-sex marriage.

Please pray that I may speak wisely and that all will go well!

Lent Study Groups – The Power of Love!

This year, our weekly Lent Study Groups are looking at the book The Power of Love by the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Michael Curry. It is a collection of his sermons, beginning with the one which he preached at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and which was watched by an estimated audience of over a billion people! (That sermon can be viewed here!)

The groups will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Aldis’ house in Hang Dong and the Chase’s house in Sansai. If you would like to join a group please sign up at the back of the church.

Preaching in Lent

We are mightily blessed at All Saints to have a whole host of preachers. Throughout the Season of Lent, I will be handing over the pulpit to five of them. Over the four weeks we will hear from Helga Spring, Taylor Pfaff, Nate Tipton, and David McPhee! It will be great for me to hear them preach, and for the church to have a rest from my voice! We are all part of the body of Christ and we can all share with one another!

Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others.

All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives! We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshipping with us,